Those who grew up in Austin can seek a shot of nostalgia with the temporary weekend-long opening of The Tower by owner Rich Huffmann, who will likely offer free-of-charge entry to the old second-story club July 25-26.

“Just to let people remember it one more time,” said Huffman, who has cleaned up the area and slightly updated electronics for tours. “It’s changed quite a bit since 1956 … because it’s changed so many hands.”

Across from the Mower County Courthouse on First Street Northeast, The Tower has collected dust for nearly 35 years, after spending two decades as the prided hotspot for Austin’s 13-plus crowd.

Opened in 1956, the club hosted dozens of bands, fried thousands of french fries and nurtured young love throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s. Indeed, the hang-out was the place to be until its untimely closure in 1973, when the city cut The Tower’s power source while it transitioned to a new power plant.

With the club now vacant and used for storage, Huffman, who owns first-level Thoroughbred Carpets, decided to allow baby boomers one last look inside after learning of county plans to demolish storefront where it rests. The Mower County Board has decided to use the square block, known as the Robbin’s block, for parking at its new, still-unbuilt downtown jail and justice center.

Huffmann said he hasn’t done much to the space, though said he will make several more alternations to better prepare 10,000-square-foot area. He already invited Riverland Community College professor Steve Vietor, a former frequent patron to the club, to bring up lighting to code. Vietor, his first-year students and Jason Tieskotter of Southern Minnesota Electric outfitted the space with a new circuit and outlets in March.

“I haven’t done a whole bunch to it yet,” Huffmann said. “I’m just going to clean it up, and let them tour.”

He said that he also may reproduce posters featuring The Tower’s “Suspension Rules” for purchase.

In terms of his carpet business, Huffman will relocate, but has not landed a new location yet, he said.